Indonesian Coffee USDA NOP Import Certificate: 2025 Guide

A practical, step‑by‑step playbook for U.S. importers of Indonesian organic green coffee. Who requests the NOP Import Certificate, the exact ACE data your broker must file, timing, split shipments, transshipment via Singapore, and how to prevent CBP holds under SOE in 2025.

We’ve cleared a lot of organic Indonesian coffee into the U.S. since SOE went live. And we’ve learned this the hard way: the import certificate isn’t “paperwork.” It’s the key that decides whether CBP waves your container through or parks it for weeks. Here’s the exact system we use to keep organic coffee (HTS 0901) moving in 2025.

The 3 pillars of fast NOP clearance

Align the supply chain early. The Indonesian exporter’s certifier must create the NOP Import Certificate in USDA’s Organic Integrity Database (OID) before your broker files the entry. No certificate in OID, no clean release.
Match data exactly. Product names, quantities, UOM, HTS, lot codes, and parties must mirror between the certificate and your invoice/packing list. We treat this as a single data set, not three documents.
Manage quantity like inventory. One certificate can cover multiple entries. But the ACE submission decrements against the certificate’s quantity. If you over‑file, the system will reject or flag your entry.

Week 1–2: Pre‑shipment planning (who does what, and when)

Here’s the thing: most delays start before a single cherry is pulped.

Who issues the certificate? The Indonesian exporter’s organic certifier. In practice, that’s often Control Union Indonesia, Ecocert, CERES, or equivalent. The exporter requests it in the certifier’s portal. The certifier generates the NOP Import Certificate electronically in USDA’s OID.
Who requests it? The exporter or last certified handler selling to the U.S. buyer. Your broker can’t create it. Your U.S. importer name and EIN must be on it, so share those details early.
When to request? Our rule: request 7–10 days before vessel cut‑off. Certifiers usually issue within 1–3 business days once they have the final invoice, packing list, lot mapping, and draft BL. Rushes are possible but risky.

What we provide our certifier:

Product list (e.g., Organic Arabica green coffee), lot codes, number of 60 kg bags, total net weight.
U.S. importer name and EIN, consignee if different, and U.S. port of entry if known.
Country of origin (Indonesia). If transshipping via Singapore or Malaysia, note that path. No changes are needed if the coffee stays sealed and no organic handling occurs there.

Pro tip from experience: if you plan to split a container across multiple U.S. entries, tell the certifier now. Ask for a single certificate with the total quantity so your broker can draw down per entry in ACE.

Week 3–6: Certificate details and the broker’s ACE playbook

Once the exporter’s certifier issues the certificate in OID, the exporter will share the certificate number and a PDF copy. Your broker then files the AMS/NOP PGA message set in ACE for each line item flagged under HTS 0901.

The exact certificate data you’ll need for ACE

Your broker will enter the AMS/NOP PGA message set with these required elements (we provide them in a single sheet to eliminate typos):

NOP Import Certificate number. The unique ID generated in OID. Use it exactly as issued.
Certifying agent name and country. Matches the certificate header.
Importer of record name and EIN. Must match the certificate.
Product description and form. Example: Organic Arabica green coffee beans. If roasted, say roasted. If decaf, say decaf.
HTS classification. Coffee is Chapter 09, typically 0901.11 (not roasted, not decaf), 0901.12 (not roasted, decaf), 0901.21 (roasted, not decaf), or 0901.22 (roasted, decaf). The HTS must match the product description on the certificate.
Country of origin. Indonesia.
Quantity and unit of measure. Net weight of organic product, typically kilograms or pounds. Keep UOM consistent with the certificate.
Lot or batch identifiers. If the certificate lists them, your invoice and packing list should mirror them.
Packaging/count detail. Optional in ACE but useful for audits. Example: 320 bags x 60 kg.

Example that clears fast:

320 bags x 60 kg = 19,200 kg. Broker files 19,200 KGM in ACE against the certificate. If you split the shipment, file 9,600 KGM on Entry 1 and 9,600 KGM on Entry 2. The certificate balance decreases accordingly.

Important 2025 reality: don’t try to use an Affirmation of Compliance code in lieu of the AMS/NOP PGA message set. Under SOE, CBP expects the full AMS/NOP dataset. We’ve seen entries held simply because a filer used an old workflow.

Need help mapping your certificate to ACE line items? We’re happy to review a draft and catch mismatches before it sails. If you want a second set of eyes, Contact us on whatsapp.

Week 7–12: Shipment, split entries, and transshipment routing

Split shipments or partial entries. One NOP Import Certificate can cover multiple lots and entries as long as the total filed quantity never exceeds the certificate’s quantity. Treat it like a balance you draw down in ACE.
Transshipment via Singapore. No new certificate is needed if the container remains sealed and there’s no organic handling. If anyone repacks, relabels, or otherwise handles the product in Singapore, that handler must be certified organic and reflected in the supply chain. We avoid any non‑certified intermediate handling.
Corrections. If CBP rejects your entry because of a mismatch, your broker can amend the ACE submission. If the certificate itself is wrong, ask the exporter’s certifier to amend it in OID. In our experience, corrections take 1–2 business days once the certifier has clear documentation.

Practical tip: share the certificate number with your broker before the vessel departs. Lining up the ACE message set early is the single best way to avoid “document pending” holds on arrival.

The 5 mistakes that trigger holds (and how to avoid them)

Mismatched quantities or UOM. Your invoice says 19,200 kg, but the certificate says 19,100 kg. Fix by aligning totals on the certificate first, then mirror across documents.
Wrong HTS vs product form. Filing roasted under 0901.11 or forgetting to mark decaf. Verify HTS at the purchase order stage.
Importer of record name/EIN mismatch. The certificate lists the buying company’s parent, but the entry is filed under a subsidiary. Use the actual IOR on the certificate.
Lot codes differ between the certificate and packing list. Standardize lot naming and freeze it before issuance.
Relying on old “Affirmation” codes. Use the AMS/NOP PGA message set. It’s the only path that consistently clears under SOE.

Quick answers to the questions we get every week

Do I need a NOP Import Certificate for Indonesian green coffee beans labeled organic?

Yes. If the product is represented as organic anywhere in the transaction, you need the NOP Import Certificate filed in ACE. That applies to green, roasted, whole bean, or ground.

Who actually requests and issues the NOP Import Certificate—the Indonesian exporter’s certifier or the U.S. importer?

The Indonesian exporter (or last certified seller) requests it. Their certifier issues it in OID. The U.S. importer/broker uses the certificate number to file in ACE.

What exact NOP certificate fields does my broker need to enter in ACE to clear coffee quickly?

Certificate number. Certifier. Importer name/EIN. Product description and HTS. Country of origin. Net quantity and UOM. Lot/batch identifiers if listed. Keep all of these identical to the certificate and commercial docs.

Can one NOP Import Certificate cover multiple lots or split containers of coffee, and how is quantity managed?

Yes. A single certificate can include multiple lots and can be used for multiple entries. ACE decrements the certificate’s remaining quantity each time you file. Don’t exceed the total or your entry will flag.

How do I handle a shipment that transships through Singapore—does the NOP certificate change?

No, if there’s no organic handling and the shipment remains sealed. If any handling occurs, the handler must be certified and reflected in the supply chain. Otherwise, expect scrutiny.

What happens if the NOP certificate number or quantities don’t match my invoice or packing list?

CBP will likely hold the entry. Correct the commercial docs or have the certifier amend the certificate in OID, then your broker re‑submits the ACE message set.

Is roasted organic coffee treated differently from green coffee for the NOP Import Certificate requirement?

Requirement is the same. If it’s organic, you file a NOP Import Certificate. Just make sure the product description and HTS code reflect roasted vs green and decaf vs non‑decaf.

Resources and what to do next

Building an organic espresso or single‑origin program? Our Sumatra Arabica Organic Grade 2 Green Coffee Beans ships with the NOP Import Certificate queued well before vessel cut‑off. If you need complementary non‑organic origins for blending, you can also View our products for options.
Final checklist before you book space: confirm importer name/EIN, product descriptions, HTS, lot codes, total net weight and UOM, and transshipment routing if any. Share this checklist with your broker and the exporter’s certifier.

In our experience, when these pieces are aligned, organic Indonesian coffee clears in hours, not days. And when they’re not, SOE enforcement in 2025 will find the gap. If you want us to sanity‑check your documents or help your broker map the AMS/NOP message set, Contact us on whatsapp.